Obituary for James L. "Jim" Hesselberg

Jim was born on January 25th, 1942 to Joe and Ann (Heintz) Hesselberg. He was a graduate of Bangor High School. Jim married Rita Breidel on June 13th , 1964. Jim and Rita had a hobby farm for many years. He loved his work in construction, especially being an operator, which he was very good at, winning his company's Operator of the Year award. He had a great ability to talk to anyone and could talk for hours. He was always there to help anyone in need. He was quite the comedian and jokester. He always told his granddaughters he was the smartest kid in his 2 nd grade class (he was the only one in his 2 nd grade class). Jim and Rita enjoyed many years of traveling and camping, spending time with friends and family and playing cards. He looked forward to the annual camping trip to Jellystone in Warrens, WI every summer. Jim was also a Charter Member of the St. Joe’s Lion’s Club. Jim was a very special man and will be greatly missed.

Jim is survived by his wife of 59 years, Rita, three daughters, Sue (Jeff) Reget, Kim (Chuck) Adair and Chris (Dave) Bradshaw, four granddaughters, Alexis (Jeremiah) Hagedorn, Allie (Will) Fadness, Maddie Bradshaw (Jordan Brown) and Sydney Bradshaw (Jacob Schmidt), great-grandson, Jaxson Hagedorn, and great-granddaughter Fadness on the way. He is further survived by his siblings, Stanley Hesselberg, JoAnn Bjorkman, Joe (Barb) Hesselberg, Florence (Don) Peters, Jean (Jim) Flock, Dennis (Sue) Hesselberg, Mitzi Smith, his in-laws Bonnie Howe, Karen Hesselberg, Carol Hesselberg, Gene (Mary) Breidel, Donnie (Rhea) Breidel, Kathy Weber, Tommy (Paula) Breidel, Mary (Rick) Meyer, Dennis (Terre) Labus and many, many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws Frank and Viola (Witt) Breidel, grandson Christopher Adair, his siblings Lucille Severson, Bill Hesselberg, Bud Hesselberg, Donnie Hesselberg, Doug Hesselberg, Bob Hesselberg, Charles Hesselberg, Larry Hesselberg, in-laws Lucille Hesselberg, Lois Hesselberg, Lester Bjorkman, Dave Smith, Dolora Labus, Don Weber, and Alvina (Ike) Clements.

The entire family would like to extend a special thank you to Mayo Hospice, especially Matt, Kelly and Gloria, for your assistance and guidance. Also, a thank you to the Mayo ICU and 7 th floor staff for the wonderful compassion and care.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:30 a.m., on Saturday, September 2, 2023, at St. Joseph Catholic Parish at St. Joseph Ridge. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. A visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Mass, Saturday, at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

Online condolences may be offered on this site.